lindakwalter

I am looking for a beach area to take 10 year old grandson. I am looking for an area where airfare is not expensive. Looking at North Myrtle area but wondering if there is another area I am missing. Thanks. We are planning on going in August. Thanks.

Dukey1

Hard to answer your question re the "airfare is not expensive" when we have absolutely NO idea where you are flying FROM.

RoamsAround

Also, define what "not expensive" means to you in terms of actual dollars, we have no idea what YOU can afford.

lindakwalter

Flying from Chicago. Hoping to get airfare under $300. Very flexible on where to go, just so activities for 10 year old. Thanks

cd

You might get good airfare from Continental in Chicago into Florida as they have hubs in Tampa and Ft Myers. Ft Myers Beach is a great place to go. You could also drive from Tampa to many gulf coast beaches such as St Pete Beach.

gail

Southeast Florida has advantage of 3 airports within approx 100 mile distance - so you can shop PBI (West Palm Beach), FLL and MIA. Rental cars usually allow you to pick up at one and drop at another without extra fee and sometimes there is a big price difference if you do so.

starrs

Pensacola FL is almost due south. 14 hours if you want to drive. Tickets available for about $350.

jette

Does it have to be ocean side? The west coast of Michigan has some fabulous beaches and lively beach towns. Another great lakes beach destination is the Lake Superior coast around the Porcupine Mts. Gorgeous beaches and north woods. Both of those locations would be drivable from Chicago.

Virginia1990

I would stick with North Myrtle over Florida, only because you are going in August. I went to Fort Myers/Sanibel Island last year the last week of July and we were miserable because of the humidity, even in the evenings. I do think Myrtle is slightly less humid and hot than Florida. Also, there is plenty to do in Myrtle for a 10 year old. Ripley's Museum, plenty of putt putt golf, Barefoot Landing, Broadway od the Beach, kayaking, paragliding, banana boats, etc. There's a WonderWorks at Broadway on the Beach that I'm sure your grandson would really like. I've been going there pretty much every other year since I was about 12 years old and we always had a great time.

NewbE

You should start by using Travelocity or Expedia or Orbits (all of these are online travel agents) to research airfares. Airfares vary, and no one can tell you which areas have cheap ones at the moment from O'Hare. Also look at Southwest, because they don't participate in any online agency listings.

longhorn55

Southwest has RT flights from MDW to Jacksonville, Florida for around $310 in August. You could rent a car at JAX and drive an hour north to Jekyll Island, Georgia.

We spent many a summer beach vacation on Jekyll Island with our kids. It's a low-key kind of place with a beach, fishing, bike trails, a minigolf course and a waterpark. (IF you enjoy historic houses, you can tour some of the millionaire's homes from the turn of the 20th century.) There are some new hotels on JI but we always stay in a condo at Villas by the Sea. We enjoy having the extra space--two bedrooms, kitchen and living room. There's also a playground for the kids and a nice pool shaded by trees.

SusanMargaret

Have you thought of St. Augustine? Nice beaches and the town is pretty and historic. My kids still have fond memories of our visit there many years ago.

lindakwalter

Thanks so much for all the input. Many wonderful suggestions. Meeting with grandson tomorrow!

Brian_in_Charlotte

Myrtle/North Myrtle is a great choice for a 10-year old.